MFA Boston Defends Layoffs, Says Cuts Did Not Target People of Color

Museum director says restructuring was necessary to address "grave and unsustainable structural deficit"

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Museum of Fine Arts Boston has issued a statement defending recent layoffs that drew controversy, denying that the cuts disproportionately impacted curators of color. The museum's director, Pierre Terjanian, said the layoffs were the result of a thorough review and were not targeted at any specific groups. However, the layoffs did include several curators of color, sparking criticism from the community.

Why it matters

The MFA Boston is one of the largest and most prominent art museums in the United States, and the layoffs have raised concerns about diversity and inclusion in the art world. The museum's response aims to address these concerns, but the controversy highlights ongoing challenges around representation and equity in cultural institutions.

The details

According to the museum, 33 workers were laid off, representing 6.3% of the staff. Terjanian said the cuts were necessary to address a "grave and unsustainable structural deficit." The layoffs included 16 union members and 17 non-union staff. No members of the museum's leadership took pay cuts, though the COO position was eliminated. Several curators of color, including Marina Tyquiengco (CHamoru) and Nadirah Mansour, were among those laid off, sparking criticism on social media.

  • The layoffs were announced on Thursday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Pierre Terjanian

The director of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston who issued a statement defending the layoffs.

Marina Tyquiengco

An associate curator of Native American art who was laid off from the MFA Boston.

Nadirah Mansour

An assistant curator of Islamic art who was laid off from the MFA Boston.

theo tyson

A curator in the fashion arts department who was reportedly the only Black curator at the MFA Boston and was laid off.

Ayia Elsadig

The creator of an Instagram Reel that went viral criticizing the MFA Boston's decision to lay off curators of color.

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What they’re saying

“All along, we took steps to ensure that cuts would not disproportionately impact any groups based on their background or identity. One third of our entire staff identified as people of color prior to the restructuring—and those numbers are the same today.”

— Pierre Terjanian, Director, Museum of Fine Arts Boston (MFA Boston statement)

“The @mfaboston is kicking out their Native American and Islamic Art curators, conveniently during a DEI free Trump era. What message is the MFA trying to send to Muslim, Indigenous, and other minority communities with this decision?”

— Ayia Elsadig (Instagram)

What’s next

The museum has stated that more work lies ahead to adapt the institution to current realities and future needs, indicating that further changes may be on the horizon.

The takeaway

The MFA Boston's layoffs have sparked concerns about diversity and inclusion in the art world, highlighting the ongoing challenges cultural institutions face in ensuring equitable representation and support for curators and staff from underrepresented backgrounds.